Dirty Grass Soul
 Local favorite opens for Josh Turner on main stage
SHELBY, NC – MAY 10, 2022 – Last week’s announcement that country artist Josh Turner would headline the 2022 7th Inning Stretch Festival on Aug. 6 brought an enthusiastic response. A Shelby-based favorite as Turner’s opening act is expected to add to the excitement.
Cleveland County’s own Dirty Grass Soul will be the opening act for Turner; the six-member band will take the stage in Uptown Shelby at 6:00 PM. Founded in 2011, the band has become known throughout the Carolinas and farther afield for the hint of bluegrass, outlaw country and rock ‘n roll heard in their songs. With two self-produced albums – “New Day of Work” and “The Long Way” – the band has earned a reputation as an emerging Southern rock/alternative country band. The group’s first live album is in production now. “SOUL’D OUT: Live at The Don Gibson Theatre” is expected to be released later this month. The band recorded the 25-song album in February to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Founding members Kevin Dedmon (fiddle, guitar, vocals) and Lance Watson (bass, mandolin) are joined by Tommy Smith (lead guitar), Kris Dedmon (banjo), Glenn Miller (pedal steel guitar) and Jared Miller (vocals, percussion). From Kevin Dedmon’s catchy originals to their own twist on covers from a variety of artists and styles, Dirty Grass Soul appeals to a broad audience of music lovers.
Early this year, Dirty Grass Soul performed in Kansas City, Mo., and Bristol, Tenn., in addition to their appearances across North and South Carolina. Between now and the Festival, they will open for Hank Williams Jr. and a lineup that includes Cadillac Three and Sammy Kershaw in Simpsonville, SC. Other scheduled performances include The Prairie Dirt Classic in Fairbury, Ill., and Hillbilly Jam in Maggie Valley. After the Festival, appearances include a stop in Knoxville in September.

Other artists are set to perform on a secondary stage on Washington Street. That lineup will be announced soon.
“The 7th Inning Stretch Festival is our organization’s ‘thank you’ to the community for its support of the ALWS,” says Eddie Holbrook, chairman of the local ALWS committee. “Our organization is acutely aware that this baseball tournament could not be successful in Shelby-Cleveland County without broad support from the people who live here. This Festival lets them know that our appreciation runs deep. We believe our music lineup this year is exceptional and a grand way to kick off the ALWS.”
“Based on the social media response since the announcement of Josh Turner as the headliner, we anticipate a crowd of over 20,000 in Uptown Shelby Aug. 6,” says Kim Davis of Dragonfly Marketing, the agency organizing the Festival. “With this great lineup of free music and other activities our need for sponsors has increased. We have sponsorships from $300 to $3,500 for companies or individuals, and we accept donations of any size.”
For more information about sponsors and vendors for the 7th Inning Stretch Festival, visit www.7thinningstretch.cc or call 704-600-6599. The ALWS is scheduled for Aug. 11-16. General admission tickets go on sale June 1. For more information on ALWS games and tickets, visit www.americanlegionworldseries.com or call 704-466-3103 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM weekdays.